From Waste to Water: Making Leachate Work for the Land
Services: Amelioration Strategies to Treat Leachate Water for Land Irrigation
Location: multiple
Date: ongoing
To safely and effectively reuse wastewater for irrigation, it’s quality must be carefully monitored and managed. (Image Credit: Unsplash)
Our Scope
In regions of Australia where rainfall is unreliable, treated wastewater (effluent) is increasingly recognised as a valuable resource—particularly for irrigating tree crops and other vegetation. However, to safely and effectively reuse effluent for irrigation, its quality must be carefully monitored and managed.
Verterra was engaged to assess the soil degradation risks associated with wastewater from a treatment plant and to develop a management plan that would enable its beneficial reuse for a forest plantation—while meeting regulatory and environmental standards.
Challenges
Contaminant risk: Emerging contaminants such as PFAS may pose long-term ecological and regulatory risks.
Soil degradation potential: Without proper management, sodic effluent can reduce soil permeability, harm vegetation, and limit long-term productivity.
Regulatory scrutiny: Proposals for wastewater reuse require detailed, evidence-based strategies to secure approval.
Verterra’s Solution
Verterra developed a comprehensive wastewater management strategy focused on both agronomic feasibility and environmental protection:
Risk assessment: Evaluated sodicity and PFAS levels in wastewater and modelled potential soil degradation scenarios under various irrigation regimes.
Soil amelioration modelling: Calculated gypsum and other soil amendment requirements to safely neutralise sodicity risks.
Tailored irrigation strategy: Designed a system for using effluent to support forest crop irrigation while protecting soil structure and plant health.
Regulatory support: Provided documentation and technical evidence to support beneficial reuse applications.
Project Highlights
Determined effective treatment thresholds for using sodic wastewater in forestry systems
Quantified amelioration requirements to minimise environmental and soil risks
Supported beneficial reuse licensing negotiations with regulatory bodies
Enabled a cost-effective, sustainable irrigation solution using an underutilised resource
Outcomes
Beneficial reuse approved: The regulator accepted the proposed management plan, enabling long-term effluent use for forestry irrigation.
Cost savings: Avoided expensive advanced water treatment by applying strategic amelioration.
Environmental value: Reduced reliance on freshwater sources while promoting vegetation growth to produce an economic asset.
Demonstrated leadership: Showcased how resource recovery can be aligned with circular economy principles and sustainable land use.
Find our more about our experience in beneficial reuse of wastewater. Contact our team today!